Virginia Gazette

‘Bittersweet’ farewell: York County fire chief retires after 50-plus years of service

“This has been a wonderful career,” says Stephen Kopczynski, who retired as York County's fire chief on Tuesday after more than 50 years of service to the department.

Stephen P. Kopczynski retired from the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety on Tuesday after more than 50 years with the department, including 37 as chief. Maggie Root / For The Virginia Gazette

Judge gavel and scale in court. Library with lot of books in background

Williamsburg man pleads guilty to sending email threatening to rape officer’s daughter

James City County community members attend a town hall ��ӽ紫ý with supervisors Barbara Null and Michael Hipple on Monday. James W. Robinson/staff

Town hall ��ӽ紫ý draws more questions on proposed James City County government center

The Virginia Chorale will perform at Colonial Williamsburg's July Fourth celebration. Presenting a program of patriotic songs, the chorale will lead into the grand fireworks display. Courtesy of Steve Budman

Arts Notes: Get ready for all things patriotic this weekend

By John Shulson

July 2, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

Music for July 4 - including a Williamsburg visit by the Virginia Chorale - and...

The storefront of Virginia's first MilkShake Factory, seen from the street at Cahoon Commons in Chesapeake. It's located at 648 Grassfield Parkway and opened on June 28. (Courtesy of MilkShake Factory)

The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads

By Macy Friend

July 2, 2025 at 1:07 p.m.

Whether businesses are opening, closing, or moving to a new location, here's the latest on...

A couple was found dead in this home in the Grafton section of York County on July 1, 2025. (Peter Dujardin / ��ӽ紫ý)

Older couple found dead in York County murder-suicide

By Peter Dujardin

July 2, 2025 at 2:52 p.m.

The couple of a Grafton home were found by authorities with gunshot wounds and they...

Kale on Books: Get your kicks out of this latest book about Route 66

By Wilford Kale

July 1, 2025 at 1:29 p.m.

Wilford Kale reviews books about Route 66, Charlottesville and a true-life NCIS story.

Visitors to an opening event of "Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865" at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond. Courtesy of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture

‘Un/Bound’ exhibit in Richmond tells untold stories of free Black people

By Wilford Kale

July 1, 2025 at 12:20 p.m.

"Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865," tells stories from a variety of perspectives — personal, community...

In this photo released by the Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers work at the scene of an explosion after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (Iranian Red Crescent Society via AP)

World Focus: U.S. Air Force doctrine validated

By Frank Shatz

July 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

Frank Shatz talks to retired Air Force Gen. John Michael Loh about the conflict between...

Kroger plans to expand into part of the vacant Kmart space next door in Village Square at Kiln Creek. AutoZone is also slated to open in the other part of the Kmart building. (Tara Bozick/Staff)

AutoZone, Kroger expansion slated for former Kmart near Kiln Creek

By Susan Smigielski Acker

July 1, 2025 at 9:06 a.m.

New plans for the vacant Kmart building next to Kroger in the Tabb area of...

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